The 2026 Scottish Parliament election is currently underway, with voters electing 73 constituency MSPs and 56 regional MSPs across eight lists. Unlike previous elections, the vote count is taking place on Friday rather than overnight, due to changes following the Covid-19 pandemic, with the final results expected late in the evening. Early results indicate that the Liberal Democrats have retained Orkney. John Swinney’s Scottish National Party (SNP) has led pre-election polls and aims to secure a majority, which could strengthen calls for a second independence referendum. According to YouGov, the SNP is projected to win 62 seats, just shy of the 65 required for an outright majority. Reform UK is predicted to gain 19 seats, marking a significant entry into Scottish politics. Labour and the Conservatives may experience their worst results yet, potentially winning only 17 and 7 seats respectively. The Greens and Liberal Democrats are expected to increase their representation, with the Greens possibly doubling their seats to 16 and the Lib Dems to eight. Across England, early local election results also show losses for Labour, intensifying pressure on the party leadership. Overall, the elections reflect shifting political dynamics in Scotland and across the UK, with new parties gaining traction while traditional powers face challenges.

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has achieved a historic fifth successive victory in the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, though it fell short of an overall majority. Led by John Swinney, the party won 58 seats, down from 64 in the previous election, in the 129-seat chamber. This leaves the SNP needing to negotiate with other parties to govern, with Swinney expressing openness to working with most rivals except Reform UK. A pro-independence majority remains, bolstered by the Scottish Greens securing a record 15 seats. Labour and Reform UK tied for second place with 17 seats each. The SNP's vote share declined, and it suffered notable constituency losses, including high-profile defeats for senior figures. Swinney has prioritised practical issues such as the cost of living and NHS improvements over immediately pushing the independence agenda, recognising that rebuilding public trust in governance is essential. Support for independence hovers around 50% in polls. Scottish Labour suffered another poor performance, its worst in the devolution era, hampered by association with an unpopular UK government. The Conservatives also recorded their weakest result. The incoming parliament features many new faces, including a significant bloc from Reform UK, amid economic challenges like slow growth, inflation, and strained public services. Issues such as the long-term impacts of Covid, Brexit, austerity, and the rise of artificial intelligence will test the new legislature. While the SNP celebrates continued dominance after nearly two decades in power, the political landscape at Holyrood signals a period of negotiation and heightened challenge.

SNP to win historic fifth Scottish election with Labour and Reform UK battling it out for second place.

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